Monday, 26 September 2016

"If you could say to somebody, you're going to have a child who will magically bring about social cohesion, will bring joy and encourage all the people around him or her not to take life too seriously, who will enjoy simple things in life, who will literally do a dance if there is ice cream in the freezer, who is able to enjoy life', that's a whole new value system, isn't it? That's a whole new way of assessing what is and isn't valuable."

Monday, 19 September 2016

Saturday, 17 September 2016

I have been away for a few days, celebrating Mass for the enclosed Benedictine nuns at Minster Abbey, and finding plenty of time for prayer myself. Every priest needs times of retreat for the sake of his own soul, and so that the well doesn't run dry when he tries to share the faith with his people.

I also found time to make a pilgrimage to Canterbury Cathedral, with it's associations with St Augustine and St Thomas Becket, and to St Augustine's Abbey in Ramsgate, which Pugin believed to be his ideal Church, his greatest work.

Canterbury Cathedral

Canterbury Cathedral

St Augustine's Abbey

Because of my absence there was a double newsletter last week. Everything there still applies, except that on Friday, 23rd September, there will be a service of the Word & Holy Communion rather than Mass at 9.30am. This is because I am celebrating the Funeral Mass for Rev Deacon Brendan Campbell at Mount St Bernard Abbey that morning. May he rest in peace. Amen.

Click here for this week's porch notice with an updated list of times.

Sunday, 4 September 2016

In his homily this morning, Deacon Andrew referred to the address Mother Teresa gave to the National Prayer Breakfast (Sponsored by the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives) February 3, 1994. As she is officially recognised by the Church as a Saint, you might like to read her address here.

Saturday, 3 September 2016

Are you 18-40, do you want to deepen your knowledge of the Catholic
faith, learn its devotions and meet like minded people? Young Catholic
Adults are organizing a weekend at Douai Abbey in Berkshire) led by Fr. Thomas
Crean O.P. You’ll be able to hear catechetical talks, learn how to sing
Gregorian Chant, say the Rosary, socialize and have fun. Book soon as places
are limited!

This weekend has been going for over 10 years, it is a unique experience,
which brings the Catholic faith to a new generation!